DRAGONFORCE maximum overload WPCR-15817

Today’s entry spotlights the sixth studio album from the kings of extreme power metal, DragonForce. We are looking at the 2014 Japanese pressing of “Maximum Overload,” released via Warner Music Japan with the catalog number WPCR-15817. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.

Released in Japan on August 13, 2014, this album represented a significant evolution for the band. While still delivering their trademark “hypersonic” speed and technical wizardry, “Maximum Overload” saw the band embracing shorter, more concise song structures and a wider variety of tempos and thrash influences. This shift was partly due to their collaboration with producer Jens Bogren, moving away from their previous self-production habits.

This was the second album to feature vocalist Marc Hudson, and fans noted a marked increase in his expressive power and stability, adding a new layer of emotion to the band’s sound. The album kicks off with the blistering speed of “The Game” (which famously features guest vocals from Matt Heafy of Trivium) and includes the band’s high-octane, unexpected cover of the Johnny Cash classic, “Ring Of Fire.”

As is tradition for the Japanese market, WPCR-15817 offers exclusive value to collectors. It includes the bonus track “Summer’s End,” bringing the total track count to eleven. This release captures a matured DragonForce finding a perfect balance between their chaotic speed and catchy, compact songwriting.